Sir Song, do you want to pledge yourself to me?

Ji Nuan was wearing a tight red dress with narrow sleeves, which was as hot and dazzling as a flame, outlining her graceful figure to the fullest.

Her black hair was tied up high, fluttering gently in the wind, adding a bit of unruly and free-spirited look.

Riding on the horse, she has an upright posture, a firm gaze, and exudes an indescribable heroic spirit in her every move.

The morning sunlight shone on her, as if giving her a golden halo.

In Song Jinbai's eyes, Ji Nuan at this moment was so dazzling that it was impossible to look away.

On the official road, Song Jinbai and Song Huai were waiting there quietly.

"Song Jinbai, why are you here?" Ji Nuan asked in surprise. Obviously, she didn't expect to meet him here.

Song Jinbai took a few steps forward, looked Ji Nuan in the eye with a determined gaze, and said without refusing to let anyone refuse: "The Man-Eating Valley is full of dangers. I really don't trust you to go there alone. I have handed all the matters in my hands over to my senior brother. I will accompany you to Qingzhou Prefecture."

Ji Shan couldn't help but retort, "How can I be alone? Aren't we all human beings?"

Song Jinbai quickly explained, "Brother Ji, you misunderstood. That's not what I meant. I'm well aware of the dangers of the Man-Eating Valley, and among you siblings, only Miss Ji is proficient in martial arts. If we really encounter any emergency, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you guys to handle it alone. We, master and servant, are accompanying you, hoping to provide some assistance to Miss Ji."

His explanation was so sincere and genuine that the three Jishan brothers couldn't help but nod their heads.

Ji Nuan looked at Song Jinbai and smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Song Jinbai."

Song Jinbai smiled faintly and said, "Let's go. We must get to Shuangxi County before evening."

The six of them rode their horses forward. It was midday, and the sun was blazing. They simply stopped to rest for half an hour, replenished some food and water, and then hurried on again.

When the group stepped into Shuangxi County, night had already fallen quietly.

After asking a passerby, Song Huai led the Ji brothers and sisters to a place called Hongfu Inn.

As soon as we entered the inn, the innkeeper came up to us warmly and asked with a big smile, "Are you staying overnight or just for a meal?"

Song Huai gave a brief order: "Request six upper rooms and prepare some food and send it up."

The shopkeeper led everyone to the table and said enthusiastically, "Dear guests, please sit down and have a cup of tea. I will go and arrange the rooms and meals. I guarantee that you will be satisfied."

After the shopkeeper left, Ji Shan spoke first, his tone carrying a certain simplicity and frugality: "Mr. Song, there's actually no need to arrange so many guest rooms. The three of us brothers can just squeeze into one."

Ji He also nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes, if we open two fewer upper rooms, we can save a lot of money."

Song Jinbai smiled slightly and explained, "Second Brother Ji, you really don't have to worry about the room fee. This Hongfu Inn is actually owned by my senior brother. Before leaving, he specifically gave me his jade token. As long as you have this jade token, you can bring someone to stay for free at any branch of the Hongfu Inn."

After hearing this, Ji Nuan's eyes lit up and she smiled, "Oh, it's great to have a senior brother who runs an inn! Now we don't have to worry about accommodation." Then she asked Song Jinbai playfully, "Song Jinbai, do you have any senior brothers who run restaurants? That way, we can even solve the problem of eating!"

Song Jinbai was amused by Ji Nuan's playfulness. He cooperated and pretended to think seriously, then smiled and said, "Well, about this, we can plan to find a senior brother like this."

After hearing what Song Jinbai said, Ji Nuan couldn't help but burst into laughter. The sound of her laughter was so clear and sweet that it filled the entire corner of the inn. "Hahaha, Song Jinbai, what you said is so funny! Others enjoy all kinds of conveniences because of their senior brothers, but you, on the other hand, only think of looking for your senior brother because you need convenience."

Her laughter infected everyone present; even Ji Shan, Ji He, and Song Jinbai couldn't help but smile. Ji Nuan's humor and straightforwardness instantly relaxed the few people who were a little tired from their journey.

Song Jinbai also smiled and shook his head. He hadn't expected his words to trigger such a big reaction from Ji Nuan. "Looks like I'll have to look hard to find another senior brother who runs a restaurant. That way, I'll never have to worry about food and drink." He said half-jokingly, taking a sip of tea.

When Ji Chuan heard the conversation between Ji Nuan and Song Jinbai, he couldn't help but pretend to be serious and said to Song Jinbai: "Mr. Song, I am really worried about your brothers."

Ji Nuan cooperated with Ji Chuan and asked, "Third brother, what are you worried about?"

Ji Chuan smiled and continued, "I'm worried that if Young Master Song one day looks for top figures from all walks of life to be his senior brothers, wouldn't they be too busy? Not only do they have to run their own businesses, but they also have to provide convenience for Young Master Song from time to time, haha."

Song Jinbai couldn't help but laugh. He shook his head helplessly and said with a smile, "Third Brother Ji is really good at joking. I don't have that kind of ability. However, if I really have the honor of meeting outstanding people from all walks of life and becoming friends, that would naturally be great."

After hearing what Song Jinbai said, the Ji brothers and sisters all laughed.

The shopkeeper arranged rooms for the six people, with two of them facing each other.

Song Jinbai was very scheming. He chose the room in the middle, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally.

To protect their sister, the three brothers of the Ji family, just as Song Jinbai had imagined, placed Ji Nuan between the two brothers' rooms. This way, Song Jinbai and Ji Nuan's rooms were right opposite each other, separated only by a corridor.

In stark contrast to the quiet and peaceful night here, Anbei City on the northern border is now in chaos and noise.

"Reporting to the Major General, there are a total of 200 soldiers in the Second Patrol Team. Except for a brother who came back to report, the remaining people are 22 with minor injuries, 13 with serious injuries, and as for those killed in action... killed in action..." The soldier's voice was choked and he could hardly speak. Behind those names were his comrades who he had been with day and night. When they set out in the morning, they were smiling and full of vitality. In the blink of an eye, they were separated by life and death. This scene made him feel like a knife was cutting his heart.

Xu Zecheng was wearing heavy armor, with bloodstains still hanging on the corner of his battle robe. It was obvious that he had just returned from a fierce battlefield and had not had time to change clothes.

His face was stern, his eyes were sharp, and his tightly pursed lips revealed an unquestionable determination. He asked in a deep voice, "How many brothers were killed in action?"

The soldier tried hard to hold back his tears, his eyes reddened, and he answered in a trembling voice: "Killed in action... One hundred and sixty-four killed in action." Sadness and indignation intertwined in his words, and the air seemed to freeze, leaving only the heavy heartbeat and unfinished fighting spirit echoing in the night.